Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Print Version)

Savory chicken with honey BBQ glaze over tender rice with mixed veggies, all cooked together in a single skillet.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - Salt and pepper to taste
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
05 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Sauce

06 - ½ cup BBQ sauce
07 - ¼ cup honey

→ Rice & Vegetables

08 - 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed
09 - 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup mixed vegetables such as bell peppers, peas, and carrots

# How to Make It:

01 - Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until lightly browned.
03 - Whisk together BBQ sauce and honey in a small bowl. Pour mixture over chicken and stir to coat evenly.
04 - Add rinsed rice and chicken broth to the pan. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 20 minutes.
06 - In the last 5 minutes of cooking, scatter mixed vegetables on top. Cover and steam until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice gently with a fork before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, which means less scrubbing and more time at the table with the people you care about.
  • The honey BBQ glaze clings to every grain of rice, turning something simple into something kids ask for by name.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables are lurking in your crisper drawer and still end up with a balanced, colorful plate.
02 -
  • Do not skip rinsing the rice or you will end up with a gluey texture that no amount of fluffing can fix.
  • If you lift the lid during the simmer, steam escapes and the rice cooks unevenly, so trust the timer and leave it alone.
  • Low sodium broth is key because the BBQ sauce already brings plenty of salt, and you can always adjust at the table.
03 -
  • A splash of apple cider vinegar whisked into the honey BBQ sauce adds tang and keeps the glaze from tasting too sweet.
  • Use chicken thighs instead of breasts whenever possible, they stay moist even if you accidentally overcook by a few minutes.
  • Let the rice rest covered after cooking, this final steam sets the texture and prevents a soggy bottom layer.
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